Most pundits have speculated about which wide receivers the New England Patriots could target this offseason to make the team’s pass catchers for Drake Maye more dangerous. But the Patriots could also add to their downfield weaponry with a tight end.
CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan proposed free agent tight end Isaiah Likely as a target. Sullivan included the Patriots signing Likely on his list of bold NFL free agency predictions Friday.
“New England needs to surround Drake Maye with more weapons, and most believe that’ll come via securing a wide receiver. However, don’t sleep on Isaiah Likely being a target for the Patriots either,” Sullivan wrote. “Josh McDaniels-run offenses have heavily featured the tight end position, and Hunter Henry is set to play in the final year of his contract in 2026.
“That creates a sneaky need for the franchise, and Likely, who turns 26 in April, flashed the potential to be a dominating receiving threat over his tenure in Baltimore. Not only would Likely find himself aligned with an MVP-caliber quarterback inside a tight end-friendly offense, but this would also be a homecoming for the Massachusetts native.”
A Cambridge, Massachusetts native, Likely eclipsed the 300-yard receiving mark in all four of his seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. His best statistical campaign came in 2024 when he had 42 receptions for 477 yards and six touchdowns.
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper projected Likely to receive a 3-year, $42 million contract this offseason.
Patriots Urged to Sign TE Isaiah Likely
If Likely had reached free agency after 2024, he probably would have scored a bigger payday than he could get this offseason.
Likely experienced several near-misses on big-time plays for the Ravens during 2025. He fumbled near the goal line in a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving.
Likely was then at the center of controversy in the first Ravens-Steelers showdown of the 2025 campaign. The tight end appeared to catch the go-ahead touchdown for Baltimore late in the fourth quarter. But Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. ripped the ball out, causing the officiating crew to rule the play incomplete.
The game ended with a Ravens loss, which ultimately cost them the AFC North crown.
Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels, though, might be confident they can help Likely eliminate his silly mistakes with them in New England.
Popper ranked Likely the No. 35 free agent for 2026.
“Isaiah Likely is a move tight end with alignment versatility. He can play inline, on the outside and in the slot. He can also be used in motion at the snap,” Popper wrote. “Likely is a polished route runner who uses a low center of gravity and short, choppy steps to set up defenders. He is a ball-winner in 50-50 opportunities and has great instincts in scramble-drill situations.
“Likely is also a yards-after-the-catch weapon who can break tackles. He has the burst to separate from defenders both during routes and after the catch.”
The Patriots needed more offensive weaponry before the offseason even began. Then on March 4, New England released the team’s leading receiver Stefon Diggs.
Patriots TE Depth Entering 2026 NFL Free Agency
Veteran Hunter Henry led Patriots tight ends in catches and receiving last season. Henry was also second for New England in those categories and led the team with seven receiving touchdowns.
Henry will be back in 2026, but he will turn 32 years old during the season. The Patriots have two other tight ends of note on their offseason roster — CJ Dippre and Marshall Lang.
Neither tight end had a catch in 2025. The Patriots are set to lose their other tight end passing target, Austin Hooper, in NFL free agency.
At the very least, New England should sign a more suitable replacement for Hooper. With Likely, the team would also land a tight end capable of assuming Henry’s role beginning in 2027.
Finally, the Patriots could add Likely and still afford to pursue wide receiver upgrades, which Maye will also need without Diggs.
Patriots Predicted to Sign Projected $42 Million Playmaker to Support Drake Maye